Bliss... At Last
She was furious.Simply furious.She walked around her room in anger.She had never felt so helpless.She was unable to control her own granddaughter.Granddaughter,indeed!! Yes,breaking rules every second day.Disobeying her.Forgetting that she is a woman.
Why?? Why did Razia had to be so difficult?I never had any problem with Shazia.Then,why??',she thought to herself.
Maybe she took after her grandfather.',said a rough voice with a chuckle.
Shamshaad was startled.She was all alone.There was nobody else.But that was not the matter.It was the voice.His voice.No!!! It,it is impossible.
Help me,God.I am going crazy.I am hearing voices.',said Shamshaad.
Voices?You are mistaken,my love.Its only me.',said the voice again.
Who is playing this prank??Reveal yourself!! Otherwise you will be severely punished.I am warning you.',said Shamshaad.
Warning me?? Dear,once upon a time,this entire Sultanate used to act according to my mere whim.And you are warning me?But,only you know that I used to bend before only one individual.And that is you.Your wish is my command.',said the voice.
And then he was there.Standing before her.With all his glory.Looking majestic as ever.His mere shadow radiated a feeling of power and honour.His eyes possessed the ability to instill fear into hearts of the most fierce opponents.He was regal and composed.He was regal and composed like always.He was smiling.It was affectionate and serene.
She was shell shocked.No!! It can't be true.She was hallucinating.Someone was playing a cruel joke with her.It can't be true.It could not be him.
Her voice trembled as she spoke.It seemed like an eternity when she finally addressed him
Sultan.',she said.
Yes,its me.Your Sultan,Shamshaad.Look at me.',he said.
No,its not possible.I,I must be dreaming.You cannot be here.',said Shamshaad.
He sighed.He knew that this was not going to be easy.
Believe what your heart tells you ,Shamshaad.But I am standing before you.Sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibak.Your husband.The father of Qutub.The father-in-law of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish.The proud grandfather of Nasir,Yasir,Shazia and Razia.The founder of this dynasty.Your Qutub-ud-din.',he said.
But how is it possible?You are dead.',said Shamshaad still not able to believe her eyes and ears.
Dead?Yes,my mortal body is dead.But there is world beyond this body and it is indestructible.Look around yourself, Shamshaad.I am everywhere.I am in this city.I am in the Qutub Minar.I am in our grandchildren.I am in your heart.I am always with you.',said Qutub-ud-din in a soft voice.
Always with me.',Shamshaad repeated.
Yes,my dear.Always with you.',said Qutub-ud-din.He lifted his hand and placed in on her heart.Shamshaad's heart began to beat faster and faster.She was becoming restless.But then,she regained her composure.She quietly removed his hand.She looked up to him with a steely look in her eyes.Her look carried an air of defiance.
So,why has the great Sultan come to visit me?What can I do for you?',she asked coldly,her voice remaining aloof.
Qutub-ud-din smiled.Nobody knew her better than he did.And he was used to her attitude.
That is like my Shamshaad.You know what I love the most about you apart from your beauty and your style?It is your attitude.',said Qutub-ud-din.
Just stop it.Instead of wasting your precious time with me,why don't you go and put some sense into your granddaughter's head?She needs it.One of these days,she will definitely spoil your name.',said Shamshaad angrily.
Razia?Shamshaad,one of these days,she will make me proud.Infact,she has already made me proud.She is the future of this dynasty.',said Qutub-ud-din.
Have you gone mad?She is a woman.She should remain within her limits.Women have certain boundaries that should not be broken.',said Shamshaad.
She is our blood,Shamshaad.She is different from the others.She is meant to break each and every boundary.',said Qutub-ud-din with a smile.
Break all boundaries?What are you telling?She is such a nuisance.She always does what she should not do.She is out of control.She...',began Shamshaad.
Calm down,Shamshaad.Razia is meant for great things.And she will accomplish them.Neither can you stop her nor can anyone else.No matter how much the clouds attempt,they cannot block the Sun's rays.I know that you cannot think anything ill about Razia.You are concerned about her.I know everything Shamshaad.You are like a coconut.You may seem hard from outside,but within you lies a soft,tender and vulnerable self.Only I have seen it.But you do not have to worry about Razia.She can take care of herself.She is capable.And,moreover,our grandson-in-law will always be there for her and...',he stopped.He bit his tongue.He knew that he had said too much.
Grandson-in-law?? What do you mean?',asked Shamshaad looking suspicious.
The point is not that.We are deviating from the topic.I know the actual cause of your bitterness.It is not Razia.It is something else,isn't it?',asked Qutub-ud-din.
You already know everything,don't you?Then why are you asking me?',asked Shamshaad.
I want to hear it from your mouth,Shamshaad.Speak.Speak your heart out Shamshaad.Speak.I know that you won't reveal your feelings in front of anyone apart from me.Tell me Shamshaad?What is bothering you?What is your problem?',he asked gently.
You.',said Shamshaad softly.
What?',asked Qutub-ud-din.
IT IS YOU!!! You are my problem.Did you ever realize what I had to undergo?Did you even have the slightest idea of my pain?You,you went away.I was left all alone at the mercy of our so called son-in-law.Do you know that he seldom cared for our beloved daughter?He left her all alone for a mere dancer!! Did you ever see her tears?I did!! I had to bear the humiliation,the pain of seeing him at power.That Iltutmish!!! He was our slave,once upon a time.He made our daughter suffer.He never did justice to Qutub's children too.Snatched away Nasir's rights.And when finally,I thought that all our problems had ended,they died.Almost,our entire family was wiped out.My child died in my arms.My Qutub.My children.All I am trying to do is protect Razia.This world is evil.She has to act as per the norms.Forget them for now.Let us come to you.Do you know that from the moment you breathed your last,my every breath was lifeless?Do you know how I managed to live all these years without you?Do you even have the faintest idea?No!! You don't realize my pain.With you,I could have endured any hardship on this earth and without you,this palace with all its luxuries seemed like an endless confinement.Whenever,I used to look at the Qutub Minar,I felt your presence.I tried to imagine that you are there.Why??Why did you leave me?Why Sultan?Why?',she screamed as tears rushed out of her eyes.
I don't have the answer,Shamshaad.Life and Death is beyond the power of any Sultan.I did not leave you.I had never left you.I was always with you.Around you.In you.',said Qutub-ud-din.
Shamshaad looked up at him.Tears were coming out of her eyes.She did not try to stop them.For now,they wanted to come out.That night,she cried.She cried in front of him.She cried and cried.It was just him in front of her.No one else.It was just him.
He embraced her.She felt joyful.It was divine.He was with her.
All the pearls of emotion had flowed out from her eyes.She was smiling now.It was a smile for which she had waited for years.She had never imagined that she would be so happy once again.All the bitterness and sorrow had vanished.
So,Shamshaad.Should I leave now?',asked Qutub-ud-din.
Leave?',asked Shamshaad anxiously.
Yes,after all,I cannot stay forever.',said Qutub-ud-din.
Then,I am coming with you.Wherever you go,I will accompany you.',said Shamshaad.
But Sham..',began Qutub-ud-din.
No.The only reason why I clung on to this life was the void and bitterness that you left behind.Now,there is no more bitterness.The void is filled.I am ready to join you.I don't see any reason to stay back.As far as Razia is concerned,then I admit that she can take care of herself as well as the entire Sultanate.But I just want to come with you,Sultan.I cannot imagine a moment without you now.',said Shamshaad.
Qutub-ud-din did not say anything.He simply smiled at her.She smiled back and closed her eyes.
The next morning,the entire palace was plunged in grief.The Walida-e-Sultan was found dead on the floor of her bedroom.The strangest thing was that there was no unnatural cause of her death.It was completely natural.
Razia was sitting quietly when she felt a hand on her shoulder.She looked up to see that it was Altunia.He looked solemn.
Isn't it strange,Mirza?It is proved that Nanijaan died a natural death.Even Shah Turkan is not to be blamed.How is that possible?'asked Razia.
Altunia shrugged.
I don't have any idea,Shehzaadi.But the strangest thing was that when the Walida-e-Sultan's body was found,it appeared as if she were smiling.As if she was finally at peace with herself.
-The End-
Author's Note:Hi guys!! Okay,so it all started when I was getting a bit bored and I was wondering how to get rid of Nanijaan.So,just to kill some time,I wrote this OS.Please forgive the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
comment:
p_commentcount